Baba Adhav bag Times Social Awards

New Delhi: Noted social activist Baba Adhav, who gave up his career as a doctor to take up the cause of unorganised labourers, was honoured with The Times of India Social Impact Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Besides Adhav, six NGOs, three government organisations and social responsibility wings of two corporates were also conferred the Social Impact Awards across five categories including livelihoods, advocacy and empowerment, education, health and environment.

Adhav`s unrelenting efforts to unite headloaders have lead to a a housing colony for them, a free secondary school, medical clinics, trade union offices and a community kitchen that feeds 15,000 hungry workers.

The Aid for India`s Development, an initiative taken by Ravi Kuchimanchi in 1991 to raise funds from his NRI friends for development works in rural parts of the country, won the award in the global contribution category.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh graced the awards function held here last night and interacted with the awardees.

Vikram A Sarabhai Community Science Centre, which has devised innovative learning techniques to popularise science and mathematics education among students, teachers and lay public got the The Times of India Social Impact Award, in partnership with JP Morgan, in the eduction category.

Shroffs Foundation Trust, and NGO and Indian Farm Forestry Development Cooperative, a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative were honoured for their efforts in improving livelihood of people in rural areas of the country.